Note: The JCRA launched a new Web site on March 1. Please visit us at http://jcra.ncsu.edu. This site, http://www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum/, is no longer being updated.

Friends of the Arboretum Newsletter
Spring 2009 – Volume 13, Number 1

Annual Report

A Year in Review

The JC Raulston Arboretum is pleased to present the 2008 Annual Report, recognizing our donors, supporters, and volunteers. We extend a sincere thank you to all the individuals and organizations that supported the JCRA in 2008. Your support makes possible the continued growth and development of our gardens and educational programs. Plants and gardening nurture the human spirit and enhance our quality of life. We are honored that you have chosen to support this special arboretum as it continues to fulfill its mission of excellence in research, teaching, and outreach.

Members

It is difficult to imagine where the JC Raulston Arboretum would be without the support from our members, the Friends of the Arboretum. With the growth of our membership, we can continue to offer new educational programs, create and maintain our garden spaces, and inspire the community at large.

Matching Gift Companies

Corporate matching gift programs are a great way to optimize individual gifts to the JCRA. We sincerely appreciate the generosity of the corporations that participate in this program and the donors who make the initial gift to benefit the Arboretum.

In Memory of Claudia Speed
W. E. and Debbie Batson
James Crawford, Jr.
Robert and Anne Currin
Electricities of North Carolina
John and Louise LeMay
Betty McCain
Thomas and Louise Parker
Anthony and Karen Rand
William Sowter
Mildred Welch

2008 Gala in the Garden Sponsors

The Gala in the Garden is the Arboretum's signature fund-raising event held each year on the first Sunday in May. In 2008, our sponsors contributed over $63,000. Thank you, 2008 Gala in the Garden sponsors, for making this event a huge success.

Gift-in-kind Donors

Support through in-kind gifts is vital to the success of our events, especially the Gala in the Garden. They also provide services and plant materials that keep the Arboretum beautiful for everyone.

JCRA Receives Grant from the North American Rock Garden Society

By Nancy Doubrava, Interpretive Specialist

The JC Raulston Arboretum was proud to receive a grant in 2008 from the North American Rock Garden Society's Norman Singer Endowment Fund to support the development of the rooftop gardens and the Scree Garden. Their generous funding enabled us to purchase new plants, plant identification labels, and interpretive materials for these gardens.

Be sure to come to the Arboretum and visit these popular new gardens. Here, you can see a wide diversity of drought tolerant plants from the southwestern United States, Mexico, South Africa, and similar habitats being tested for their performance in our area. These gardens continue to be a success thanks to the combined efforts of volunteer garden leader Charlie Kidder and volunteer Anita Kuehne, who generously donate their time each week to care for these gardens.

Endowments

An endowment is a lasting legacy. A special thanks to these donors for their foresight and generosity. Contributing to an endowment is a long-term investment that provides financial stability for the Arboretum year after year. For more information on how you can create an endowment to benefit the JC Raulston Arboretum, please contact Anne Porter at (919) 513-3826.

Leaving a Legacy

The Top 10 Reasons to talk with us about including a gift for the JC Raulston Arboretum in your will:

10. A bequest is an easy, effective way to support the Arboretum.
9. You may designate your gift to any JCRA program or garden area.
8. You may create an endowment fund that will last in perpetuity.
7. You may create a scholarship fund to help future horticultural or landscape design students.
6. Regulations dealing with the estate tax are changing, almost each year.
5. We can help identify which assets are best to use in making your gift.
4. You will become a member of the NC State University Pullen Society.
3. We can provide information on the best way to structure your gift.
2. We can help plan so your gift will be used exactly as you wish.
And …
1. It gives us a chance to thank you for your future gift.

Please contact Anne Porter at (919) 513-3826 or anne_porter@ncsu.edu for more details.

Volunteers

The gift of service is invaluable to the Arboretum, and we are very appreciative of the many hours our volunteers devote to the Arboretum. Our volunteers share their many talents and their time to make the Arboretum a wonderful place for all to enjoy. We couldn't do it without them. Thanks to all of them.

Volunteer Hours—January–December 2008

Our volunteers gave over 8,000 hours of their time in 2008. Their efforts have made the Arboretum a showpiece in the community.